A TEAM of fundraisers is embarking on an intrepid trek to raise thousands for a children’s hospice.

Forty supporters of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice are setting off on a five-day hike along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru this weekend.

Among the trail team is the charity’s vice president Ambrose Harcourt, who said he is going to be well out of his comfort zone on the trek.

He said: “It’s going to be an experience and a challenge – hopefully we will reach the summit, which is 4,500 feet.

“I do not like camping at all and have only ever done it once in my life so I’m not looking forward to that bit.

“But all the discomfort I will feel is temporary whereas the positive impact this will have on the lives of hundreds of children and their families will last for ever.”

Chestnut Tree House near Arundel cares for children and young adults with progressive life-shortening or life-threatening conditions.

Ambrose said the team wants to raise as much money as possible for the charity, which provides its services entirely free of charge.

He said: “It’s vital for children and families in East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire.

“We only get six per cent of our funding each year from the Government, and the hospice costs £4 million a year to run, which comes to about £6,850 per day.

“Our aim is to raise as much as we can, so we can pay for at least ten days of services.”

Ambrose, who was a founding patron of the charity in 1998 and was made vice president earlier this year, said he counts himself lucky that he is able to help. He said: “It’s a charity that is close to my heart.

“We have community nurses who go into peoples’ homes, to look after the children and also support their families. It really is hard work, when you see the kind of work they have to do.”

The hospice was opened by Princess Alexandra in 2003 and provides 24-hour palliative care to 300 children and young adults up to the age of 19. The charity also gives advice to families following diagnosis, and offers a pre and post bereavement support service, which includes befriending, family counselling, and child and young people’s psychotherapy.

Chestnut Tree House relies heavily on the generosity of its donors, and also has 11 charity shops across Sussex to raise funds.

Ambrose said: “This year the house is 16 years old. Every year we have to come up with new ideas for fundraising. A lot of hard work goes into raising money.

“At the moment we are looking after 300 children and giving support to their families.

“But right now there are 1,000 children in East and West Sussex who could do with our help. We want to help as many children as we can.”

To make a donation, go to the Chestnut’s Inca Trail Challenge 2019 JustGiving webpage, at: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/chestnuttreehouse/inca.